Tooth cleaning device



Aug. 21, 1962 J. DIENER TOOTH CLEANING DEVICE Filed Aug. 28, 1959 JackINVENTOR Diener i LOCKS BY KARL ATTORNEY 3,05a072 TQOTH CLEANIYG DEVICEJack Diener, 4545 Connecticut Ave., Washington, D.C. Filed Aug. 28,1959, SenNo'. 836,708 2 Claims. (Cl. 13293) The present inventionrelates to a tooth cleaning device and more particularly to a toothcleaning device comprise ing a handle and an interdental element inwhich the apex of the interdental element is in the effective medianplane of the handle and in which an aperture for receiving a shank ofthe interdental element has parallel grooves communicating therewith.

It has been known that the usual type of toothbrush does notsatisfactorily clean the spaces between the teeth, particularly at thegum line. To overcome this deficiency in the ordinary toothbrush, therehave been provided in the prior art several diiferent devices comprisinginterdental elements. These interdental elements were usually in theform of a pointed rubber tip, or conical rubber tip, and it was proposedthat these tips be inserted into the interdental spaces in order toremove debris, deposits, etc. therefrom. There were provided three typesof these devices, which comprised a handle portion and'the aforesaidconical interdental element.

In a first of these types, the handle was curved at its end and theconical interdental element provided a generally tangential extensionfor the curved end of the handle. The apex of the conical tip of thisdevice was distant from the median plane of the handle. Because of thisrelationship, the person using this device was subjected to somediscomfort, this being principally due to gagging when the upper orlower front teeth (incisors) were to be cleaned from the rear or tongueside. Also, because of this relationship it was most diflicult and insome cases practically impossible to insert the interdental element inthe spaces between the more remote molars, such as between the secondand third molars. Where the interdentalelement of this device could beinserted in the inter-proximal spaces, effective cleaning of thesespaces was not obtained because of the inability of the interdentalelement to be properly inserted thereinto.

In a second type of device, therewas provided a flat, straight handlewith an aperture extending therethrough near its end, and an interdentalelement having a conical tip, a connecting shank and an enlarged headwas positioned with the shank extending through the aperture and withthe tip and head on either side of the handle. In this device, the axisof the conical tip was perpendicular to the straight handle, so that theapex ofthe conical tip was remote from the median plane of the handle bya distance slightly greater than the height of the conicaltip.

In this device, also, because of the noted relationship, it wasdifiicult to insert the interdental elementinto the more remoteinterproximal spaces, or to insert it properly thereinto.

in the third type of device, the handle had a terminal portion thatformed an obtuse angle therewith on the lower side thereof, and the tipextended from the'underside of the terminal portion. This type sufieredfrom the disadvantages of the first two types, as above discussed, andas a consequence discomfort and gagging resulted. In this type inparticular the ability to clean the interproximal spaces betweenincisors from the tongue or lingual side necessitated the excessivelywide opening of the mouth, with attendant'inducement of gagging.

In the two types mentioned last above, it was contemplated that theinterdental element was removably positioned in the aperture in thehandle, so that it could be removed therefrom and reinserted into theaperture, in the opposite direction. While this alternative positioningof the interdental element,- particularly in the third type 3,050,072Patented Aug. 21, 196 2 P we of device, somewhat facilitated thecleaning ofthe'interproximal spaces, it has'been found that this featureof these devices was not readily resorted to because of'the' difiicultyof withdrawing and reinserting the interdental element. This was becausethe interdental element was usually made of rubber or rubber-likesubstance, and required considerable distortion in the withdrawal andin-. sertion thereof in order to securely hold during the clean ingmovements. The relative shapes and tolerances of the two interfittingparts in these devices achieved either stability of the tip base or easeof withdrawal and reinsertion, but did not achieve both of theseadvantages'in one structure.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tooth cleaning devicehaving a handle and interdental element wherein the handle i-s'shaped toprovide superior comfort during the use thereof.

Another object of the present invention is the pro vision of a toothcleaning device having an interdental element that will enable theinterdental element to readily, effectively and properly penetrate intointerproxi-mal spaces. J

. A further object of the present invention is to provide a toothcleaning device having a handle and an interden-tal element in which theinterdental element may penetrate into all interproximal spaces. "Astill further object of the present invention. is the provision of asuperior tooth cleaning'device comprising a handle and an interdentalelement supported thereby which permits ready removal and reinsertion ofthe iriterdental element and which will also hold the interdentalelement securely.

Other objects and thenature and' advantages of the instant inventionwill be apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwithwthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a tooth cleaning device in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a crossasectional view of a brush-like implement on the handleof the device of the present inven tion.

FIG. 3 is across-sectional view taken on the line 33ofFIG.2. h

r FIG. 4 is a plan view of the head portion of the handle of thetooth-cleaning device of the present invention. V

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 4, andshowing the interdental element in place. p -FIG.' 6 is anelevational'view, with parts iri's'ection, showing the interdentalelement of the toothcleaning device of the present invention in reverseposition.

FIG; 7 is a side view showing the cleaning of interproximal spaces atthe front of the mouth. 7 FIG. 8 is a view, with parts removed, showingthe cleaning of intenproximal spaces at the rear of the mouth.

FIG; 9 is a view illustratingthe geometrical relationship of'parts ofthe presentinvention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals'are usedto designate like or conrespondingparts throughout the severalviewsjther-e is shown in FIG; 1 a tooth cleaning device 16 comprising a.handle 20 and'an interdental element 30- supp-orted thereon; Alsosupport ed on the handle 20, at the end thereof rem-ote'from theinterdental elementfili, is a brush-like implement 40. The handle 20 hasa gradually curved main portion 21 having the top surface 22 thereofconvex and a. head portion 23 extending from the end of main portion 21.'The'qto-p surface 22 of the handle main portion 21 and the top surface24 of the head portion 23 form anobtuse angle.

Referringnow to FIG. 3, it may be seen thatithe hanextension. 26is'curved so that when the implement 49 j is placed on-the extension 26with the teeth 42 thereof in'jthe direction 'shown, the ends of theteeth 42 lie in substantially a single plane. I On' the other hand, the

'connection'tbe'tween'the implement 40 and the handle 29, due to theshapeo'f extension 26' and head 27', permits the implement 40 to beturned on the extension 26 so that-the 't'eeth 4-2. thereof extend inthe opposite direction! This is shown in FIG. 2, and it may be seentherefrom tliat'due to the curvature of extension 26 I the ends of theteeth 42 lie inlan arc in this-position of a the implement 40. I 3

Referring now to FIG. 4, it may be seen that the head portion 23 ofhandle 'has a cylindrical aperture 26 extend through head portion 23,and are parallel to the axis of aperture 26. The grooves 27 communicatewith the aperture 26 throughout their length, and there is thus In FIG.5, the interdental element30 is shown in position in the opening throughhead portion 23. The element 30 has a conical tip 31, a truncatedconical shank 32 having its larger base adjacent the base of the tip 31.Due to the difference in diameters of the larger base of shank 32 andthe base of tip 31, there is provided a shoulder 33 on the tip 31. Theelement 30 further comprises an enlarged head 34 having the underside 35thereof larger than the small base of the shank 32. The underside 35 ofthe enlarged head 34 may be seen to be intermediate in size betweenthediameter of aperture 26 and the outer boundary of the grooves 27. Onthe other hand, the diameter'of the shoulder 33 of conical tip 31 issubstantially as large as the outer boundaries of the grooves 27. I V

The element 30 is made from a rubber-like material, and hence isdeformable but so resilient that it will tend to return to its originalshape. Due to the relative shape of the element 30 and the abovedescribed aperture 26 and grooves 27, it is relatively easy to force thehead 34 through the opening thus provided in the head portion 23 ofhandle 20. This is due in part to the fact that the head 34 may expandsomewhat into the grooves 27. Once the element 30 has been positioned onthe head portion 23, as may be seen from FIG. 5, the'base of conical tip31 is firmly supported. over a relatively large area because it extendsoutwardly substantially to the outer boundaries of grooves 27. Thus, ithas a relatively large area of the head portion 23 that it engages. Onthe other hand, suflicient support is given to the underside 35 of thehead 34 of element 30 due to the engagement thereof with the projections29. Hence, the head 34 of element 30 hassufiicient area of the handle 20that it engages to securely hold the element'30 onto the handle 20.

The element 30 is relatively easy to withdraw from its position on thehead portion 23 of handle 20, and to reinsert either in the sameposition'or in the reverse position thereof. The reverse position-isshown in FIG. 6,

and it will be noted therefrom that the various parts of the element 30and head portion 23 engage in substantially the same manner as whenelement 30 is in the position showninFIG. 5. I

As is clearly shown in FIG. l, a median plane P passing through thecenter of the handle main portion 21 at the two ends thereof alsocontains the apex A of the conical tip 31. This provides for greatcomfort in using the present device, and enables thesuperior cleaning ofthe interproximal spaces, as will be shown hereinbelow.

- tending therethrough'. A plurality of grooves 27 also 'ex- 7 In FIG. 7there may be seen the use of the tooth cleaning device 10 in removingdeposits and debris from the interproximal space'between the upperincisors. Due to the configuration of handle 20, as above described, itis not necessary that the mouth be opened wide, as the device 10 mayeffectively perform its function when the mouth is only partiallyopened, as shown.

In FIG. 8, there may be seen the utilization of the tooth cleaningdevice 10 in the cleaning of the interproximal spaces between second andthird molars on both the leftiand right sides of the mouth. The headportion 23 may be seen to be inserted into a mouth, and to there disturbthe natural positions of the tongue and teeth to a relatively smalldegree. Due to the shape of these parts, and with the element30 in thereverse position shown in H6. 6,. effective cleaning is realized: thisis accomplished while presenting head portion 23 at the proper angle forsupporting the element 30. Thus, discomfort due to the use of the device10 of the presentinvention is greatly reduced, and in fact ispractically eliminated, and there is no inducement to gagging with thedevice of the present invention.

The superior effectiveness of the present invention in cleaning allinterproximal spaces results from the particular and critical anglebetween the median plane P passing through thecenter of the handle mainportion 21 and the axis of the conical tip 31, in addition to theaforementioned positioning of the apex A of the-conical tip 31 on thisplane P. As is best seen in FIG. 9, the critical angle is designated Z,and is 60. It will be observed that this angle is the same whether theelement 30 is in the FIG. 5 position or in the FIG. 6 position.

The tooth cleaning device of the present invention may thus be seen toprovide superior comfort during use, and is so shaped that theinterdental element thereof is prop erly positioned for penetration inremote inter-proximal spaces. In addition, the tooth cleaning device 10provides a construciton' enabling the interdental element 30 topenetrate into all of the interproximal spaces and to be properlypositioned with relation thereto. Further, the interdental element 300ithe present invention is readily removable and reinserted into thehandle 30, and when the element 30 is in position on the handle 20, itis securely held thereby to provide a firm base for the conical tip 31.a

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention and thereforethe invention is not limited to what is shown'in the drawings anddescribed in the specification but only as indicated in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is: 1..In combination, an elongate handle and aninterdental element thereon, said handle comprising a gradually curvedmainportion having the top surface thereof convex, and a head portionextending at an angle from an end of said main portion, the top of saidhead portion and the top of said main portion forming an obtuse angle,said head portion having a cylindrical aperture extending therethrough,a plurality of grooves extending through said head portion parallel tothe axis of said aperture and communicating throughout" their lengthwith said aperture, said element comprising a conical tip, a truncatedconical shank having the largerbase thereof adjacent the base of'saidtip to thereby provide a'shoulder on said conical tip, and an enlargedhead having an underside larger than the small base of said shank andintermediate in size between the diameter of said aperture and the outerboundaries of said grooves, the diameter of the shoulder-of said conicaltip being substantially as large as the outer boundaries of saidgrooves, the center of said handle main portion at the two ends thereofand the apex of said conical tip occupying substantially a common plane,the angle between a median plane passing through i the center of thehandle main portion and the axis of the interdental element being 60.

2. In combination, an elongate handle and an interdental elementthereon, said handle comprising a main portion and a head portion, saidhead portion extending at an angle from a plane passing through saidmain portion, said interdental element extending from said head portionat an angle thereo toward the plane passing through said main portion,said interdental element being of a length so that its extremity lies inthe same plane as said plane passing through said handle main portion,said head portion being apertured, the aperture in said head portionhaving an irregular outline so as to have a relatively large perimeteras compared to a circular aperture of equal area, said interdentalelement having an end adapted to be associated with said head portion,said end including a truncated cone portion, enlarged shoulders adjacentthe top and bottom of said truncated portion, said interdental elementbeing removably positionable in said aperture in said head portion withthe longitudinal axis thereof normal to said head portion and with thetip of said interdental element extending in either one direction or theopposite direction at equal angles from a plane perpendicular to saidplane passing through said main portion, the irregular outline of saidaperture facilitating the passage therethrough of one enlarged shoulderportion of said interdental element particularly in cooperation with thetruncated portion of the end of the interdental element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,639,880 Butler Aug. 23, 192.7 1,996,205 Jackson Apr. 2, 1935 2,600,136Staunt June 10, 1952 2,745,159 Jones May 15, 1956

